Recently I have been exploring the world of casting more, and the joys
(sometimes pains ;)) of viewing the industry from the other side of
the table. I cannot tell you what an eye-opening experience this has
always been for me. Every time I help a casting agent I learn so much that I could never learn from a class or audition. I receive weekly tips from this wonderful studio and I
thought this weeks article summed up my experiences perfectly. Check out the studio at:
WEEKLY TIP FOR 2.22.13
AN OFTEN OVERLOOKED APPROACH TO ADVANCE YOUR CAREER
It is vital that performers know not only how to act and market themselves, but how the business works from all sides. Nothing is more distressing than meeting someone for the first time, have an initial interest and then discover that they are clueless about the industry.
One of the approaches that we have recommended with great results to abolish this situation is - ready? - go for an internship or be a reader. At a talent agency, casting company, or a personal manager. Internships are basically unpaid or low-paid or transportation/meal stipend paid positions. They can be a few hours a week, on a daily basis or for a specified period of time. Interns open the morning mail and email, field phone calls, assist in castings, file headshots, watch the actors/models coming in and out of the office, interface with the industry, discover what problems the business has to grapple with day in and day out, maybe even sit in on the decision making process. You will have a great first-hand to generally/specifically observe how the industry - the "other side" - REALLY works. What a great opportunity you created for yourself! And if you know THAT, your pursuits of your acting career will absolutely benefit.
Being a reader for auditions at a casting company gives an actor first-hand experience on how the casting process works. What works and what doesn't. Talk about an eye-opening experience!
The old excuse that being an intern or reader will make "them" look down on you or that you're not an actor anymore doesn't hold true. You will be respected for being enterprising and your seriousness and maturity in setting up a situation for you to gain a full understanding of the industry.
Are interns all really young? No. If you're, say, over 30++, don't worry about it. You bring to the position certain life experiences and approaches that someone younger hasn't had yet.
Be pro-active. You contact them. Most offices have a continuous need for interns. You can approach a company in general or target a specific person. Want to get in good with an agent? Offer to intern for them. Want to get in good with a casting director? Offer to intern; be a reader for them. Send them your headshot via email or snail mail and on the outside, mark "INTERN APPLICATION" or "READER APPLICATION" (or on the Subject line if email) and inside have a brief cover note. Tell them what qualities you can bring to an internship or being a reader. Tell them what times/days of the week you are available and how long you can be available. Follow up in a few days with a phone call - stating you sent your headshot because you're interested in interning with them. Your call WILL be welcomed.
Your internship or being a reader will change your outlook forever. Not only will you have a much better understanding of the business, but you will have a much better appreciation of it as well (and there would be a lot less moaning and groaning out there!)
Of course, if we could only get the agents and casting directors out on a few auditions and go-sees to see what the actor/model goes through, we might have a nearly perfect world....
Scott Powers
Scott Powers Studios
www.scottpowers.com
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